At Target Field, peanuts, candy, popcorn -- and raffle tickets

Sausage
Sausages and onions on the grill at Target Field. Will raffle tickets be on the menu soon?
MPR Photo/Tim Nelson/File

Pro sports teams are hawking more than beer and brats at games these days. They're also pushing raffle tickets that give lucky fans at the stadium a chance to win thousands and raise money for charities too.

The "50/50 raffle" trend encompasses baseball, basketball, football and hockey. Even some college programs, such as Michigan State, are getting in on the act.

Franchises randomly draw the winning number near the end of the game. The winning fan takes home half the pot, while the rest goes to charity.

Vendors with hand-held machines and stationary kiosks inside stadiums keep a running tally of the pot's total.

The Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals are among the latest baseball teams to use 50/50 raffles. Both began theirs this season.